FIR against Oscar Fernandes for poll code violation

Bellary: An FIR was on Saturday filed against Congress leader and former Union minister Oscar Fernandes for alleged violation of the code of conduct for the 21 August assembly by-election from Bellary Rural constituency.

The FIR was registered by police based on a complaint by electoral officials after Fernandes and Christian priests addressed a gathering appealing to the community to vote for the Congress candidate N.Y. Gopalrishna, police said.

It has been registered under section 123(3) (relating to corrupt practice) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, police said.

By-elections are also being held for Shikaripura and Chikkodi-Sadalga seats in the Congress-ruled Karnataka.